Product description

Laugh-out-loud funny high school drama - perfect for fans of Lauren Myracle and Meg Cabot
Let's say you're fourteen and live in New York City. You'd think your life would be like a glamorous TV show, right? And yet . . . You don't have a checking account, much less a personal Black American Express card. You've never been to a club, and the only couture in your closet is a Halloween costume your mom made from an old laundry bag.
In other words? You're Kelsey Finkelstein - fourteen and frustrated. Every time she tries to live up to her awesome potential, her plans are foiled. Kelsey wants to rebrand herself for high school to make the kind of mark she knows is her destiny. But just because Kelsey has a plan for greatness . . . it doesn't mean the rest of the world is in on it.
Kelsey's hilarious commentary and sardonic narration of her freshman year will have readers laughing out loud - while being thankful that they're not in her shoes, of course.

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Customer reviews

The story around Kelsey Finkelstein is obviously set in high-school, a beloved scenery of mine. And just like other high-school stories FRESHMAN YEAR & OTHER UNNATURAL DISASTERS has the enormous conflict potential of a bunch of growing up, hormonal kids.

It's just like in real life, because Kelsey expects her new school year to be epic and what does she get? An epic fail! There are a few very funny things happening to Kelsey and I totally felt with her. The chase after her crush keeps her mind occupied and Meredith Zeitlin doesn't make it that easy for her to find Mr. Right.

I would have wished for a profound romance between Kelsey and Mr. Right as I call him, but there simply wasn't enough time for one to develop, because the story concentrates on the failures of Kelsey's freshman year in the first place. One of Kelsey's goals is to score her preferred position on the soccer team and I can tell you that much... it won't be easy for her to play a successful season. Some people in the story are exactly who you think they are, others are not.

Many moments of FRESHMAN YEAR & OTHER UNNATURAL DISASTERS are about the bonds of friendship between the four girls, Kelsey, Cassidy, JoJo and Emily. All four are very different characters and throughout the story we learn more about Kelsey's friends and their lives, too. FRESHMAN YEAR & OTHER UNNATURAL DISASTERS is about first experiences in love and sex for all of them.

Of course there needs to be a family that Kelsey is embarrassed and annoyed of. They dare to ruin her social life in school and even her private life thanks to hideous outfit suggestions and a little star of a sister. This story is about lessons to learn and Kelsey's really doing a good job to keep up with every social obstacle thrown in her way. Get into Kelsey's head, she's fun!

THE VERDICT

I give it 3,5/5 stars.

The story offers typical freshman year elements like a prom, a school play, high-school parties, annoying siblings, a bubbling mix of teenage hormones and the crazy incidents resulting from them.
And the story is totally riddled with these hilarious, embarrassing, pitiful incidents. I was entertained, but I didn't feel a very deep connection to the characters. I think there should be a sequel to Kelsey's story so we could get to know the characters some more and be part of a more detailed view on the blooming romances.

I would like it to be known that I was stepping outside of my comfort zone when I accepted 'Freshman Year & Other Unnatural Disasters' by Meredith Zeitlin for review. I don't usually read contemporary/realistic fiction/or chick lit, but I tend to give a go at it once in a while for books who receive a lot of buzz or good reviews.
I think 'Freshman Year & Other Unnatural Disasters' rubbed me the wrong way. Either from my excess amount of maternal hormones, a lack of common interest, or it was not in the stars for me and this book to get along. =)
The first time I tasted alcohol was when I was 18 and same goes about sex education, yes, I was pretty much sheltered which probably is majority of why I teeter on enjoying this book. It was like a big "WHOA!" reaction to read a 14 year old, namely Kelsey and her friends, to be drinking and talking about sex. I couldn't really enjoy her character because she was too obsessed and narrow minded on constantly thinking and talking about boys. Kelsey rambles on and complains too much in every scene. I couldn't really get hooked on anything, or find a common ground.
The Likes: There were two occasions where a passage had me in laughing stitches. Everyone enjoys a good laugh. If with the right audience the writing is true to life and elaborately detailed and can be entertaining. With all the drama and on getting to know kelsey, I feel like the ending wouldn't last, or the ending felt more like a consolation prize. Even though, the ending was likeable in a cliche kind of way.
Freshman Year and Other Unnatural Disasters was not my cup of tea, but don't let me spoil it for you because it might just be your brand! I'm more of a para-dystopian-fantasy java kind of chick.

Review quote

""Freshman Year & Other Unnatural Disasters" is a lighter but still accomplished look into adolescent female friendship ... Love triangles, unfortunate photographs, soccer bullies and a mother who thinks she understands 'Typical Adolescent Behavior' are just some of the obstacles [Kelsey Finkelstein] runs across in this sitcom-paced, laugh-out-loud book."" --NPR
"Zeitlin offers a story that encompasses all the horrors and thrills of starting high school ... A hilarious look at freshman year, this story serves to prep the incoming for the best and the worst high school has to offer." --"Booklist"
"Kelsey is a funny, likable heroine who experiences realistic school and relationship problems that any teenage girl will be able to relate to...[an] enjoyable diversion."--"Kirkus Reviews"
"Readers will enjoy this humorous story where friendship, family, and self-acceptance are much more important than plans for greatness. This coming-of-age novel will not only entertain but also educate those transitioning into high school. It is a quick read bound to appeal to a female audience." --"VOYA"
"As the humorous mishaps mount in this laugh-out-loud coming-of-age novel, Kelsey gains insight and perspective through introspection and dialogue with friends. The values of good friendships are further evidenced in the honesty Kelsey and Cass show when they reconcile. In a sweet reversal, Kelsey finds that one of her many disasters has introduced her to a new guy who is, indeed, worth the wait."--"School Library Journal"
"Cute and sassy, open-minded and truthful, Kelsey Finkelstein will be your new best friend."--E. Lockhart, author of "The Boyfriend List" and "The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks""
""Meredith Zeitlin accurately portrays the rocky road of starting high school with humor and heart. Kelsey's character is realistic and believable, navigating disaster after disaster with strength and her trademark wry commentary. Friends, foes, drama, an